System, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for mobile check-in in retail store

ABSTRACT

A system, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for mobile check-in in a retail store includes a computer system configured to receive input from and provide output to a mobile computing application for a retail store running on a mobile computing device of a customer. The computer system is configured to determine a location of the customer entering or in the retail store, to confirm that the customer has at least one prescription fill order pending with a pharmacy of the retail store, to prioritize the at least one prescription fill order to a top of a workflow of a pharmacist in the pharmacy of the retail store, and transmitting a communication to the mobile computing device of the customer that the customer will be notified when the at least one prescription fill order is ready to be picked up at the pharmacy of the retail store.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

The figures included herein contain material that is subject tocopyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to thefacsimile reproduction by anyone of this patent document as it appearsin the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, butreserves all copyrights whatsoever in the subject matter presentedherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

U.S. Patent Classification Primary Class: 707 (DATA PROCESSING:DATABASE, DATA MINING, AND FILE MANAGEMENT OR DATA STRUCTURES). ArtUnit: 2161.

The present invention relates generally to online transactionalprocessing for pharmacies for retail stores and, more particularly, to asystem, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media formobile check-in at a pharmacy of a retail store.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many pharmacy consumers or customers desire to deliver and/or obtaintheir pharmaceutical medications being prescribed to them eitherdirectly or remotely, e.g., on-line, through the Internet, or using aspecially designed application or app on a personal computer or mobiledevice, such as a tablet or cell phone. In addition, pharmacy customersmay have at least one prescription fill order that needs to be filled bya pharmacist at a pharmacy of a retail store. For example, the customermay have a prescription fill order for a sexual transmitted disease thatis delivered to the pharmacy of the retail store. Sometimes when thecustomer enters the retail store, the customer proceeds directly to thepharmacy. When the customer arrives at the pharmacy, the prescriptionfill order may not have been filled or is not ready for pick-up by thecustomer. In other situations, the customer has to tell someone in thepharmacy that they are there to pick up the prescription filledaccording to the prescription fill order, which is undesired.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide a new system, method, andnon-transitory computer-readable storage media that allows a customer tohave a prescription order filled by the time they arrive at a pharmacyof a retail store. It is also desirable to provide a new system, method,and non-transitory computer-readable storage media that allows acustomer to check-in ahead of time to pick-up their prescription thathas been filled according to a previously delivered prescription fillorder at a pharmacy of a retail store. It is further desirable toprovide a new system, method, and non-transitory computer-readablestorage media that provides a mobile check-in so that the customer doesnot have to tell someone in the pharmacy that they are there to pick upa prescription filled according to a previously delivered prescriptionfill order at a pharmacy of a retail store. Thus, there is a need in theart to provide a system, method, and non-transitory computer-readablestorage media for mobile check-in for a pharmacy in a retail store thatmeets at least one of these desires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In different embodiments of the present invention, systems, methods, andnon-transitory computer-readable storage media are provided forgenerating, communicating, and displaying information to users viamobile computing devices.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a system including acomputer system configured to receive input from and provide output to amobile computer application for a retail store running on a mobilecomputing device of a customer. The computer system is configured todetermine a location of the customer entering or in the retail store, toconfirm that the customer has at least one prescription fill orderpending with a pharmacy of the retail store, to prioritize the at leastone prescription fill order to a top of a workflow of a pharmacist inthe pharmacy of the retail store, and transmitting a communication tothe mobile computing device of the customer that the customer will benotified when the at least one prescription fill order is ready to bepicked up at the pharmacy of the retail store.

In addition, the present invention provides a method including the stepsof determining, by a computer system, a location of a customer enteringor in a retail store and confirming, by the computer system, that thecustomer has at least one prescription fill order pending with apharmacy of the retail store. The method also includes the steps ofprioritizing, by the computer system, the at least one prescription fillorder to a top of a workflow of a pharmacist in the pharmacy of theretail store and transmitting, by the computer system, a communicationto a mobile computing device of the customer that the customer will benotified when the at least one prescription fill order is ready to bepicked up at the pharmacy of the retail store.

Further, the present invention provides one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media, having computer-executable instructionsembodied thereon, wherein when executed by at least one processor, thecomputer-executable instructions cause the processor to determine alocation of a customer entering or in a retail store and confirm thatthe customer has at least one prescription fill order pending with apharmacy of the retail store. The computer-executable instructions alsocause the processor to prioritize the at least one prescription fillorder to a top of a workflow of a pharmacist in the pharmacy of theretail store and transmit a communication to a mobile computing deviceof the customer that the customer will be notified when the at least oneprescription fill order is ready to be picked up at the pharmacy of theretail store.

One advantage of the present invention is that a new system, method, andnon-transitory computer-readable storage media is provided for mobilecheck-in with a pharmacy of a retail store. Another advantage of thepresent invention is that the system, method, and non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media allows a customer to have a prescriptionfill order filled and ready for pick-up by the time the customer reachesthe pharmacy in the retail store. Yet another advantage of the presentinvention is that the system, method, and non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media knows when the customer is in the retailstore and checks to see if the customer has at least one prescriptionfill order to fill or is in the process of being filled such that ittells the pharmacy to move the at least one prescription fill order to atop of the pharmacy workflow. Still another advantage of the presentinvention is that the system, method, and non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media automatically knows when the customer isat the pharmacy so that the customer does not have to tell anyone thatthe customer is at the pharmacy to pick-up a prescription fill accordingto a previously delivered prescription fill order.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readilyappreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading thesubsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating various aspects of a system,according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating example components of a servercomputer that may be used with the system shown in FIG. 1, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary screenshot from the system ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of exemplary database records generated by thesystem of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary screenshot from the system ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6-9 are illustrations of exemplary screenshots from the system ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method that may be used with the systemshown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans willappreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help to improve understanding of variousembodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understoodelements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasibleembodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a lessobstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Itwill be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art thatthe specific detail need not be employed to practice the presentinvention. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have notbeen described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the presentinvention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particularfeature, structure or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”,“in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features,structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitablecombinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments orexamples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures providedherewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled inthe art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may be embodied asan apparatus, system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly,the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardwareembodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware,resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combiningsoftware and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred toherein as a “module” or “system.” Furthermore, the present invention maytake the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangiblemedia of expression having computer-usable program code embodied in themedia.

Any combination of one or more computer-usable or computer-readablemedia (or medium) may be utilized. For example, a computer-readablemedia may include one or more of a portable computer diskette, a harddisk, a random access memory (RAM) device, a read-only memory (ROM)device, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory) device, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), anoptical storage device, and a magnetic storage device. Computer programcode for carrying out operations of the present invention may be writtenin any combination of one or more programming languages.

Embodiments may also be implemented in cloud computing environments. Inthis description and the following claims, “cloud computing” may bedefined as a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demandnetwork access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources(e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned via virtualization and released with minimalmanagement effort or service provider interaction, and then scaledaccordingly. A cloud model can be composed of various characteristics(e.g., on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling,rapid elasticity, measured service, etc.), service models (e.g.,Software as a Service (“SaaS”), Platform as a Service (“PaaS”),Infrastructure as a Service (“IaaS”), and deployment models (e.g.,private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, etc.).

The flowchart and block diagrams in the flow diagrams illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations,and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustrations, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions. These computerprogram instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable mediathat can direct a computer or other programmable data processingapparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructionsstored in the computer-readable media produce an article of manufactureincluding instruction means which implement the function/act specifiedin the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

Several (or different) elements discussed below, and/or claimed, aredescribed as being “coupled”, “in communication with”, or “configured tobe in communication with”. This terminology is intended to benon-limiting, and where appropriate, be interpreted to include withoutlimitation, wired and wireless communication using any one or aplurality of a suitable protocols, as well as communication methods thatare constantly maintained, are made on a periodic basis, and/or made orinitiated on an as needed basis. The term “coupled” means any suitablecommunications link, including but not limited to the Internet, a LAN, acellular network, or any suitable communications link. Thecommunications link may include one or more of a wired and wirelessconnection and may be always connected, connected on a periodic basis,and/or connected on an as needed basis.

With reference to the FIGS. and in operation, the present inventionprovides a networked computer system 10, method, and computer productmedia that allows a mobile check-in for pharmacy customers at a pharmacyof a retail store. Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary environment inwhich the networked computer system 10 operates is illustrated. Ingeneral, the present invention describes a networked computer system 10that allows mobile check-in with a pharmacy in a retail store thatprioritizes at least one prescription fill order so that theprescription is filled so that the prescription is ready for pick up bythe time the customer arrives at the pharmacy of the retail store.

For clarity in discussing the various functions of the system 10,multiple computers and/or servers are discussed as performing differentfunctions. These different computers (or servers) may, however, beimplemented in multiple different ways such as modules within a singlecomputer, as nodes of a computer system, etc . . . . The functionsperformed by the system 10 (or nodes or modules) may be centralized ordistributed in any suitable manner across the system 10 and itscomponents, regardless of the location of specific hardware.Furthermore, specific components of the system 10 may be referencedusing functional terminology in their names. The function terminology isused solely for purposes of naming convention and to distinguish oneelement from another in the following discussion. Unless otherwisespecified, the name of an element conveys no specific functionality tothe element or component.

In the illustrated embodiment, the system 10 includes a server system 12that is coupled in communication with one or more user computing devices14 and one or more 3^(rd) party entity server systems 16 via acommunications network 18. The communications network 18 may be anysuitable connection, including the Internet, file transfer protocol(FTP), an Intranet, LAN, a virtual private network (VPN), cellularnetworks, etc . . . , and may utilize any suitable or combination oftechnologies including, but not limited to wired and wirelessconnections, always on connections, connections made periodically, andconnections made as needed.

The user computing device 14 may include any suitable device thatenables a user to access and communicate with the system 10 includingsending and/or receiving information to and from the system 10 anddisplaying information received from the system 10 to a user. Forexample, in one embodiment, the user computing device 14 may include,but is not limited to, a desktop computer, a laptop or notebookcomputer, a tablet computer, smartphone/tablet computer hybrid, apersonal data assistant, a handheld mobile device including a cellulartelephone, and the like. The user computing device 14, as well as anyother connected computer systems and their components included in thesystem 10, can create message related data and exchange message relateddata (e.g., near field communication (“NFC”) payloads, Bluetoothpackets, Internet Protocol (“IP”) datagrams and other higher layerprotocols that utilize IP datagrams, such as, Transmission ControlProtocol (“TCP”), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”), Simple MailTransfer Protocol (“SMTP”), etc.) over the network.

In one embodiment, the user computing device 14 includes a mobilecomputing device 20 (shown in FIG. 3) such as, for example, a smartphonesuch as an iPhone™. The mobile computing device 20 includes a processorcoupled to a memory device, and a database for storing various programsand data for use in operating the mobile computing device 20. The mobilecomputing device 20 may also include a touchscreen display device 22,one or more video image cameras 24, one or more speakers 26, amicrophone 28, at least one input button 30, and one or more sensors 32including, but not limited to, a touch ID fingerprint sensor coupled tothe input button 30, a barometer, a three-axis gyro, an accelerometer,proximity sensor, and an ambient light sensor. In addition, the mobilecomputing device 20 may also include a Wi-Fi antenna, a cellular networkantenna, a Bluetooth™ communications device, assisted GPS and GLONASS, adigital compass, and an iBeacon microlocation device.

The GPS is a device that determines a location of the mobile computingdevice 20 by communicating with a plurality of GPS satellites. The GPScan perform known triangulation techniques to determine the GPScoordinates of the mobile computing device 20. It should be appreciatedthat while a GPS is shown, any other suitable component for determiningthe location of the mobile computing device 20 can be implemented.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile computing device 20 includes aweb browser program stored in the memory device. The processor executesthe web browser program to display web pages on the touchscreen displaydevice 22 that includes information received from the server system 12to enable a user to interact with and operate the server system 12. Inaddition, the mobile computing device 20 may be programmed to store andexecute computer program applications that display user interfaces 34(shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-9) on the touchscreen display device 22 thatallows the user to access the server system 12 to retrieve and storeinformation within the server system 12 as well as interact with andoperate the server system 12. In addition, in one embodiment, the system10 may install one or more mobile computer application programs in thememory device of the mobile computing device 20. When initiated by theprocessor of the mobile computing device 20, the mobile computerapplication program causes the processor of the mobile computing device20 to perform some or all of the functions of the server system 12.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the server system 12 includes awebsite hosting server 36, e-receipts server 38, a pharmacy accountserver 40, a database server 44, and a database 46. The database server44 includes a memory device that is connected to the database 46 toretrieve and store information contained in the database 46. Thedatabase 46 contains information on a variety of matters, such as, forexample, web pages associated with one or more websites, search queries,pharmaceutical drug information, prescription fill order information,prescription refill information, entity authentication information,customer pharmacy account information, product records, notificationmessages, mobile device identifies, mobile device application programinterfaces (APIs), and/or any suitable information that enables thesystem 10 to function as described herein. In one embodiment, some orall of the information contained in the database 46 may also be storedin the database of the mobile computing device 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the database 46 includes a pharmacyaccount list 48 (shown in FIG. 4) that includes a plurality of userpharmacy account records 50. Each user pharmacy account record 50 isassociated with a corresponding pharmacy customer and includes useridentification information 52 associated with the pharmacy customer andpharmaceutical drug data associated with pharmaceutical drugs prescribedto and/or purchased by the corresponding pharmacy customer. The useridentification information 52 includes user identifying data such as,for example, a unique user ID and/or password. The user identificationinformation 52 may also include user contact information such as, forexample, a phone number, an email, and/or a mobile device data 54associated with a mobile computing device 20 associated with thecorresponding pharmacy customer. For example, the mobile device data 54may include, but is not limited to, a unique mobile device ID, operatingsystem, phone number, IP address, mobile device API, and/or any suitableinformation that enables the system 10 to communicate with thecorresponding mobile computing device 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, each user pharmacy account record 50includes a plurality of data categories 56 associated with thepharmaceutical drugs prescribed to and/or purchase by the pharmacycustomer. The data categories 56 includes information associated withthe pharmaceutical drugs and activities associated with the pharmacycustomers. For example, in one embodiment, each user pharmacy accountrecord 50 may include a first data group 58 including data categories 56including information associated with a corresponding pharmaceuticaldrug and a second data group 60 including data categories includinginformation indicating pharmacy customer activities associated with thecorresponding pharmaceutical drug. The first data group 58 may includedata categories 56 including information indicating a unique drug IDassociated with the pharmaceutical drug, pharmaceutical drugdescription, drug category, prescribed use information, dosageinformation, and/or any suitable information associated with thecorresponding pharmaceutical drug. The second data group 60 may includedata categories 56 including information indicating a prescription fillorder, number of prescription refills remaining, a prescription refillfrequency, a date and/or time of a prescription fill order, a dateand/or time of the last prescription refill purchase, purchase date,and/or prescription expiration, and/or any suitable informationassociated with pharmacy customer activity.

The website hosting server 36 is configured to host a website 86 that isaccessible by a user via one or more user computing devices 14. Thewebsite hosting server 36 retrieves and stores web pages 88 (shown inFIG. 5) associated with one or more websites 86 in response to requestsreceived by the user via the user computing device 14 to allow users tointeract with the website and search and/or purchase products such as,for example, goods and/or services via the website. In one embodiment,the website hosting server 36 is configured to generate and display webpages 88 associated with the website in response to requests beingreceived from consumers via corresponding web browsers that aredisplayed on the user computing devices 14. In addition, the websitehosting server 36 may be configured to generate and display a mobilewebpage 90 (shown in FIG. 6-9) that is displayed on one or more mobilecomputing devices 20. For example, in one embodiment, the websitehosting server 36 may display a pharmacy webpage 92 (shown in FIGS. 6-9)in response to receiving a user request that allows a user to access acorresponding user pharmacy account record 50, input product searchrequests including search criteria including one or more search terms,purchase pharmaceutical drugs, request prescription fills, requestprescription refills, request pharmacist consultations, schedulepharmacy and/or medical clinic appointments, and the like.

The website hosting server 36 may allow customers to login and accesscorresponding customer pharmacy accounts including account informationsuch as, for example, previous purchases, pending prescription fillorders, pending prescription refills, and/or pharmaceutical druginformation. For example, the website hosting server 36 may display alogin page 94 (shown in FIGS. 6-7), receive a unique customer ID suchas, for example, a username and/or password, and identify the customeraccount associated with the unique customer ID to enable the identifiedcustomer to access information and/or features associated with thecorresponding customer pharmacy account.

The e-receipts server 38 receives and stores information associated withconsumer retail purchases in the database 46 and is programmed togenerate and store electronic receipt data associated with the consumerretail purchases. In addition, the e-receipts server 38 may beprogrammed to transmit signals indicating pharmacy customer purchases tothe pharmacy account server 40. In one embodiment, the e-receipts server38 may communicate with a plurality of point-of-sale (POS) systems aswell as other computer systems at each of the one or more physical storelocations (e.g., on an internal corporate network) to facilitatebusiness operations for the corresponding entity. For example, apharmacy customer may purchase a pharmaceutical drug using a POS systemat a store location. The e-receipts server 38 may generate e-receiptdata indicating the purchase and transmit the e-receipt data to thepharmacy account server 40 for use in modifying a corresponding userpharmacy account record 50 to include information associated with thepharmaceutical drug purchase.

The e-receipts server 38 is programed to receive application identifiersand digital receipt data, including item data for one or more purchaseditems, from POS systems at various different store locations, andgenerate and store digital receipts from received receipt data.Generating digital receipts can include item data for items included incorresponding digital receipt data (but potentially in a differentformat, for example, a format deliverable to mobile devices). In theillustrated embodiment, 20 associated with the pharmacy customer. Therequest may also be received from the pharmacy server 42 may alsotransmit a validation failure message to the pharmacy account server 40if the authentication server 42 cannot validate the identity of theentity server system 16.

In one embodiment, the pharmacy account server 40 may also access theuser pharmacy account record 50 associated with the user ID, retrievecontact information associated with the corresponding pharmacy customer,and transmit a verification message to the pharmacy customer based onthe retrieved contact information. The verification message may includea verification hyperlink including verification data that allows thepharmacy customer to access the hyperlink and transmit a verificationsignal to the pharmacy account server 40. For example, in oneembodiment, the user pharmacy account record 50 may include an emailaddress and/or a phone number associated with a phone capable ofreceived SMS text messages. The pharmacy account server 40 may generatethe verification message including an email message and/or SMS textmessage and transmit the email message and/or SMS text message includingthe verification hyperlink 102 to the pharmacy customer.

Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the system 10 may include asystem server 104 that is configured to perform the functions of thewebsite hosting server 36, the e-receipts server 38, the pharmacyaccount server 40, and the database server 44. In the illustratedembodiment, the system server 104 includes a processing device 106 andthe database 46.

The processing device 106 executes various programs, and therebycontrols components of the system server 104 according to userinstructions received from the user computing device 14. The processingdevice 106 may include memory, e.g., read only memory (ROM) and randomaccess memory (RAM), storing processor-executable instructions and oneor more processors that execute the processor-executable instructions.In embodiments where the processing device 106 includes two or moreprocessors, the processors can operate in a parallel or distributedmanner. In an example, the processing device 106 may execute acommunications module 108, a website hosting module 110, an e-receiptsmodule 112, and a pharmacy account module 114.

The processing device 106 may also include a memory device for storingprograms and information in the database 46, and retrieving informationfrom the database 46 that is used by the processor to perform variousfunctions described herein. The memory device may include, but is notlimited to, a hard disc drive, an optical disc drive, and/or a flashmemory drive. Further, the memory device may be distributed and locatedat multiple locations.

The communications module 108 retrieves various data and informationfrom the database 46 and sends information to the user computing device14 via the communications network 18 to enable the user to access andinteract with the system 10. In one embodiment, the communicationsmodule 108 displays various images on a graphical interface of the usercomputing device 14 preferably by using computer graphics and image datastored in the database 46 including, but not limited to, web pages,pharmacy records, pharmacy notification messages, product lists, and/orany suitable information and/or images that enable the system 10 tofunction as described herein.

The website hosting module 110 may be programmed to perform some or allof the functions of the website hosting server 36 including hostingvarious web pages associated with one or more websites that are storedin the database 46 and that are accessible to the user via the usercomputing device 14. The website hosting module 110 may be programmed togenerate and display web pages associated with a website in response torequests being received from users via corresponding web browsers.

The e-receipts module 112 may be programmed to perform some or all ofthe functions of the e-receipts server 38 including generating,receiving, and storing e-receipt data in the database 46 and detectingpurchases being made by the pharmacy customers.

The pharmacy account module 114 may be programmed to perform some or allof the functions of the pharmacy account server 40 including monitoringactivities associated with pharmacy customers including consumerpurchase and/or prescription fill orders or requests, prescriptionrefill orders or requests, generate notification messages associatedwith the monitored activities, transmit and received data from 3^(rd)party entity server systems 16, and executing verification andauthorization operations.

Other features of the system 10 can be found in the following commonlyowned U.S. patent application Ser. No., which are hereby incorporated byreference: U.S. patent application Ser. No. N/A, filed on Jan. 28, 2016(Attorney Docket Number 068571.00242); U.S. patent application Ser. No.N/A, filed on Jan. 28, 2016 (Attorney Docket Number 068571.00243); U.S.patent application Ser. No. N/A, filed on Jan. 28, 2016 (Attorney DocketNumber 068571.00244); U.S. patent application Ser. No. N/A, filed onJan. 28, 2016 (Attorney Docket Number 068571.00245); U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. N/A, filed on Jan. 28, 2016 (Attorney Docket Number068571.00246); U.S. patent application Ser. No. N/A, filed on Jan. 28,2016 (Attorney Docket Number 068571.00247); U.S. patent application Ser.No. N/A, filed on Jan. 28, 2016 (Attorney Docket Number 068571.00248);U.S. patent application Ser. No. N/A, filed on Jan. 28, 2016 (AttorneyDocket Number 068571.00249); U.S. patent application Ser. No. N/A, filedon Jan. 28, 2016 (Attorney Docket Number 068571.00250); U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. N/A, filed on Jan. 28, 2016 (Attorney Docket Number068571.00252); and, U.S. patent application Ser. No. N/A, filed on Jan.28, 2016 (Attorney Docket Number 068571.00253).

Referring now to FIG. 10, an example method 170, according to oneembodiment of the present invention, using the system 10 for mobilecheck-in with a pharmacy in the retail store by a mobile computingdevice 20 is illustrated. The method 170 can be executed by thecomponents illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. In general, a flowchart of themethod 170, according to one embodiment of the present invention, startsin bubble 172. The method 170 includes the steps of determining that alocation of a customer entering or in the retail store in block 174. Forexample, receiving, by the system 10, a location of the customerentering or in the retail store can be determined by GPS of the mobilecomputing device 20 of the customer. The method 170 also includes thestep of confirming that the customer has at least one prescription fillorder pending with the pharmacy of the retail store in block 176. Forexample, performing a search, by the system 10, on a plurality ofprescription fill order records corresponding to a plurality ofprescription fill orders located in the pharmacy of the retail store 12,which may include inputting a search query to any search algorithm knownin the art. The corpus of documents searched may include the database 48of records or some other corpus of documents, accessible over theInternet. The method 170 includes the steps of prioritizing the at leastone prescription fill order of the customer to a top of a workflow inthe pharmacy of the retail store in block 178. For example,prioritizing, by the system 10, one or more of the prescription fillorder records relevant to the customer in the search query. The method170 also includes the steps of transmitting a communication to themobile computing device 20 of the customer and displaying thecommunication on the mobile computing device 20 in block 180. Forexample, transmitting, by the system 10, a communication to the mobilecomputing device 20 of the customer that “You will be notified whenorder is ready for pickup”. The method 170 includes the steps ofprioritizing the at least one prescription refill order to the top ofthe workflow of the pharmacy in the retail store in block 182. Forexample, prioritizing, by the system 10, the at least one prescriptionfill order by moving the at least one prescription fill order of thecustomer to the top of the workflow of prescription orders to be filledby the pharmacist in the pharmacy of the retail store. The method 170further includes the steps of filling the at least one prescription fillorder by the pharmacist in block 184. For example, the pharmacist in thepharmacy of the retail store fills the at least one prescription fillorder as directed by the at least one prescription fill order. Themethod 170 includes the steps of marking the at least one prescriptionfill order as ready for pickup in block 186. For example, marking, bythe system 10, that the at least one prescription fill order is readyfor pickup in the pharmacy of the retail store by the customer. Forexample, the pharmacist inputs on the user computing device 14 of thepharmacy that the at least one prescription fill order has been filledby the pharmacist. The method 170 also includes the step of transmittinga communication to the mobile computing device 20 of the customer fordisplay by the mobile computer application to notify the customer toproceed to the counter in the pharmacy of the retail store to pickup theat least one filled prescription fill order in block 186. For example,transmitting, by the computer system 10, a communication to the mobilecomputing device 20 and the mobile computer application running on themobile computing device 20 notifies the customer to proceed to thecounter in the pharmacy of the retail store to pickup the at least onefilled prescription fill order. The method 170 further includes the stepof displaying with the mobile computer application running on the mobiledevice 20 the communication in block 190. For example, the mobilecomputer application displays the communication such as “Please proceedto counter to pickup your prescription” on the display of the mobilecomputing device 20 of the customer. The method 170 ends in block 192.It should be appreciated that the method includes other steps such asproviding the computer system and servers and coupling the servers toone another.

A controller, computing device, server or computer, such as describedherein, includes at least one or more processors or processing units anda system memory (see above). The controller typically also includes atleast some form of computer readable media. By way of example and notlimitation, computer readable media may include computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media may include volatile andnonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methodor technology that enables storage of information, such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includeany information delivery media. Those skilled in the art should befamiliar with the modulated data signal, which has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. Combinations of any of the above are also included withinthe scope of computer readable media.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in theembodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is notessential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations describedherein may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, andembodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operationsthan those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated thatexecuting or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneouslywith, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of theinvention.

In some embodiments, a processor, as described herein, includes anyprogrammable system including systems and microcontrollers, reducedinstruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integratedcircuits (ASIC), programmable logic circuits (PLC), and any othercircuit or processor capable of executing the functions describedherein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intendedto limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term processor.

In some embodiments, a database, as described herein, includes anycollection of data including hierarchical databases, relationaldatabases, flat file databases, object-relational databases, objectoriented databases, and any other structured collection of records ordata that is stored in a computer system. The above examples areexemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way thedefinition and/or meaning of the term database. Examples of databasesinclude, but are not limited to only including, Oracle® Database, MySQL,IBM® DB2, Microsoft® SQL Server, Sybase®, and PostgreSQL. However, anydatabase may be used that enables the systems and methods describedherein. (Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation, RedwoodShores, Calif.; IBM is a registered trademark of International BusinessMachines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.; Microsoft is a registered trademarkof Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.; and Sybase is a registeredtrademark of Sybase, Dublin, Calif.).

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. Itis to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, isintended to be in the nature of words of description rather than oflimitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a computer system configuredto receive input from and provide output to a mobile computingapplication for a retail store running on a mobile computing device of acustomer; the computer system being configured to determine a locationof the customer entering or in the retail store, to confirm that thecustomer has at least one prescription fill order pending with apharmacy of the retail store, to prioritize the at least oneprescription fill order to a top of a workflow of a pharmacist in thepharmacy of the retail store, and transmitting a communication to themobile computing device of the customer that the customer will benotified when the at least one prescription fill order is ready to bepicked up at the pharmacy of the retail store.
 2. A system as set forthin claim 1 wherein said computer system includes a server having amodule to prioritize the at least one prescription fill order to the topof the workflow of the pharmacist.
 3. A system as set forth in claim 1wherein said computer system includes a server having a module to markthe at least one prescription fill order as ready for pickup by thecustomer from the pharmacy in the retail store.
 4. A system as set forthin claim 1 wherein said computer system includes a server having amodule to transmit a communication to the mobile computing device of acustomer to proceed to a counter in the pharmacy of the retail store topickup the at least one prescription fill order.
 5. A system as setforth in claim 1 wherein said computer system includes a database thatstores a plurality of prescription fill orders corresponding to theretail store.
 6. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the computersystem is configured to provide the communication to proceed to thecounter to pick-up the at least one prescription fill order to themobile computing device for display.
 7. A system as set forth in claim 1wherein the computer system is configured to receive a notification thatthe at least one prescription fill order has been filled by thepharmacist.
 8. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the computersystem is configured to perform a search on a plurality of prescriptionfill order records corresponding to a plurality of prescription fillorders in the retail store.
 9. A system as set forth in claim 8 whereina name of the customer is provided as part of a search query.
 10. Asystem as set forth in claim 8 wherein a location of the retail store isprovided as part of a search query.
 11. A method comprising the stepsof: determining, by a computer system, a location of a customer enteringor in a retail store; confirming, by the computer system, that thecustomer has at least one prescription fill order pending with apharmacy of the retail store; prioritizing, by the computer system, theat least one prescription fill order to a top of a workflow of apharmacist in the pharmacy of the retail store; and transmitting, by thecomputer system, a communication to a mobile computing device of acustomer that the customer will be notified when the at least oneprescription fill order is ready to be picked up at the pharmacy of theretail store.
 12. A method as set forth in claim 11 including the stepsof prioritizing, by a server having a module, the at least oneprescription fill order to the top of the workflow of the pharmacist.13. A method as set forth in claim 11 including the steps of marking, bya server having a module, the at least one prescription fill order asready for pickup by the customer from the pharmacy in the retail store.14. A method as set forth in claim 11 including the steps oftransmitting, by a server having a module, a communication to the mobilecomputing device of the customer to proceed to a counter in the pharmacyof the retail store to pickup the at least one prescription fill order.15. A method as set forth in claim 11 including the steps of storing ina database a plurality of prescription fill orders corresponding to theretail store.
 16. A method as set forth in claim 11 including the stepsof transmitting, by a server having a module, a communication to proceedto the counter to pick-up the at least one prescription fill order tothe mobile computing device for display.
 17. A method as set forth inclaim 11 including the steps of notifying the computer system that theat least one prescription fill order has been filled by the pharmacist.18. A method as set forth in claim 11 including the steps of performing,by the computer system, a search on a plurality of prescription fillorder records corresponding to a plurality of prescription fill ordersin the retail store.
 19. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein aname of the customer is provided as part of a search query.
 20. A methodas set forth in claim 18 wherein a location of the retail store isprovided as part of a search query.
 21. One or more non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media, having computer-executable instructionsembodied thereon, wherein when executed by at least one processor, thecomputer-executable instructions cause the processor to: determine alocation of a customer entering or in a retail store; confirm that thecustomer has at least one prescription fill order pending with apharmacy of the retail store; prioritize the at least one prescriptionfill order to a top of a workflow of a pharmacist in the pharmacy of theretail store; and transmit a communication to the mobile computingdevice of the customer that the customer will be notified when the atleast one prescription fill order is ready to be picked up at thepharmacy of the retail store.